Knowledge of Nurses on environmental health at Mbagathi District Hospital, Nairobi Women

Abstract

Background: The environment serves as a reservoir for a variety of microorganisms as such, it is always implicated in many instances of disease transmission. Inadvertent exposures to environmental opportunistic pathogens may result in infections with significant morbidity and/or mortality. Lack of adherence to established standards and guidance (e.g., water quality in dialysis, proper ventilation for specialized care areas such as operating rooms, and proper use of disinfectants) can result in adverse patient outcomes in healthcare facilities. Objective: The objective of the study is to establish the nurses: Awareness of environmental health issues; Education about environmental exposures; Use of teaching resources with patients or clients;1 and Perception of the sustainability of the health system in which they work. The findings of this survey will assist in identifying gaps in these areas and will support the development of nursing educational modules to address these gaps. Methodology: A 17-question survey, based on the International Council of Nurses’ (ICN) description of nursing’s role in environmental health (Appendix A), was developed in English (Appendix B) and administered to a total of 211 nurses at Mbagathi District Hospital in Hairobi. An additional six questions focused on personal and professional characteristics of the nurses who responded. The survey was conducted during the period 1st December until December 31, 2010. All willing nurses at the Mbagathi Hospital in Nairobi were invited to participate in the survey. Findings: A total of 211 nurses completed the survey. Most of the respondents (91.4%) were registered nurses, and 7.7% indicated that they were advanced practice nurses.4 One-third (33.3%) of those who completed the survey had a Registered nursing Diploma just over a third (35.3%) had a community health nursing Diploma and 30.4.0% a certificate in nursing. Most of the respondents (75.0%) were over 40 years of age. Just over half of the respondents (53.8%) worked in a hospital setting, 17.1% worked in community or public health department, 7.1% were based in an academic setting (Mbagathi is used by the Kenya Medical College for teaching its students), and 7.1% were employed in occupational health. The remainder worked in home care (6.7%) community health clinics (5.7%), long -term care settings (4.8%), rehabilitation (3.3%) and physician’s offices (1.4%). (Some Nurses worked in more than one sitting).In terms of the ages of their patients or clients, the respondents reported working with adults (48.3%), clients of various ages (34.8%) and children (7.7%). Two-thirds (66.3%) indicated involvement in environmental issues in their daily activities. Conclusions: Nurses have an understanding of scientific methodologies, health conditions and human behaviors, all of which could assist in transforming evidence-based information into policy-relevant initiatives and communication tools for environmental health.